Looking Through the Knothole!

The resurrection of Jesus changes everything!  When the disciples were taken to the Mount of Olives in Acts chapter 1, Jesus gave them their last marching orders in verse 8: "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

(NASV)  

They were to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came, then go into all the world to preach the good news, the gospel, and; "...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you;"  (Matthew 28: 19-20) (NASV)

While they were standing there Jesus began to ascend into Heaven.  Luke's account in Acts chapter 1 and verse 9 says that: "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight." (NASV)  

Now I don't know about you but i would be very much intrigued by this event as I am sure the disciples and the followers that were there were.  As He continued to ascend, they continued to look up into the sky until they were rebuked by two angels.  Look at the rest of this account from verses 10 and 11:  "10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into Heaven."  (NASV)  

I know what you might be thinking.  You might be thinking they were trying to get one last glimpse of Jesus before they were going back to Jerusalem but I think that there is one more thing they were looking to see; a glimpse of Heaven.  After all, wasn't that where He was going?  Wouldn't you want to sneak a peek into the gates of Heaven itself?  

In the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 1-3, Jesus told His disciples:  "1 Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for i go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (NASV)  

Wouldn't you want a look through the knothole into Heaven?  For the Christian believer, that will be home after we leave this earth.  Our saved loved ones and friends who have gone on before us will be there.  The saints that have passed on whether from a natural death, from war, or from persecution and suffering for their faith will be there.  The apostles and many of the people you read about from your Bibles will be there also.  But most of all, Jesus will be there.  

If you could look through the knothole of heaven, all these things you might see.  But for the unbelieving, this would be all you get to see.  You would not get to experience the fellowship of family and friends or the others that have gone on before us. But most of all you will not get to see Jesus.  You will be separated from all of that for all eternity.  You might not like to hear that but as the saying goes, "Don't shoot the messenger!"   

Listen, the resurrection of Jesus changes everything.  It can even change you! If you want more than just a knothole experience of Heaven, and really want to know how to get there, contact one of the pastors from the Carroll County Ministerial Association.  They would love to tell you how to get to Heaven.  If you cannot reach them, call me.  I would love to tell you how to turn a knothole experience into an eternity of fellowship with the Savior.  Why are you still sitting there?  Like the angels told the disciples, "Get moving!"  Thanks for reading.  Have a great week Church! 

Dr. Chuck Wilson                                                                                         Senior Pastor                                                                                           Carrollton Bible Chapel

The Resurrection of Jesus the Christ Changes Everything!

The resurrection of Christ changes everything.  After Jesus returned from the dead, He showed Himself alive to his disciples for 40 days.  What a glorious reunion that must have been! When it was time for Jesus to return to His father in Heaven, He instructed His disciples saying,

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15  

The term "gospel" means good news.  The good news of the Word of God is that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (I Corinthians 15: 1-4).  Our responsibility as followers of Jesus then is to go into the world and preach the gospel to everyone we meet.

It is a proactive gospel, not a passive one.  Far too many believers meet every Sunday morning without fail.  They sit in "their" pew and take in all the blessings of a morning or evening worship service without having once in the week sharing the gospel; the good news of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection with even one person.  

How would this village, this county change if every believer would share the good news with just one person every week?  Let's examine this for a minute.  According to the latest statistics of Carroll County, Ohio there are approximately 28,187 people living here.  (www.quickfactscensus.gov)  Also according to census reports, there are only 30.12% of the entire county population that claimed any religious affiliation compared to 50.2% of the entire United States population.  Doing the math, that means that our of 28,187 people living here only 8,456 connect with any church on any Sunday morning in our county! 

According to: http://www.carrollcountyohio.com/Churches/churches.htm website, there are 59 churches listed as active in Carroll County.  That averages out to 143.3 people in each church.  (Not an actual number per congregation but an average for all the churches.  Some churches would love to have 143 people each Sunday!)  But, doing the math again, we find that there are about 19,731 people that do not affiliate with, or perhaps even attend a church in this county!  If all 19,000 people plus would decide to come to church next Sunday, and divide them equally among each church, we would see an instant growth of 330 people per church in our county! 

If each of the believers in this county would take the responsibility to give the good news to just 1 non-attendee, it would take less than 3 years for each person in this county to be reached!  Of course, not everyone is going to be as excited as we are about spreading the gospel of Christ, and not everyone is going to come to church or perhaps would be able to come to church due to health situations or work schedules.  That does not diminish our responsibility to spread the gospel to every person. 

Many people I talk to each week tell me that they are looking for something great to change their lives.  I have an idea.  Why not come to the church of your choice, get excited about the good news of the Scriptures, and take it to someone that does not have Christ in their lives?  As I have said from the beginning, the resurrection of Jesus changes everything, including your life and mine.  Almost 20,000 people in Carroll County need to hear the good news.  Are you up for the challenge?  Have a great week Church!  Pastor Chuck 

Turning the Tables

As someone who has taught history for over 28 years, I can honestly say without reservation that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event that has changed the path of mankind over the past two millennia.  It has been documented by many historians such as Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliney the Younger  that all state that Jesus was a real person and lived and died under Pontius Pilate during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. 

In spite of several attempts by the early Jewish community to spread falsehoods about his resurrction, the truth that has endured the centuries remains as the  angel tells the women who came to the tomb that early morning: 

"5. But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  6. He is not here; for He is risen as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28: 5-6 NKJV)

In I Corinthians 15: 3-8 the Apostle Paul writes that over 500 witnesses have verified that the once crucified Christ now lives: 

3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8. Then He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time." (NKJV)

This coming Sunday will be  Easter Sunday and thousands of people who do not regularly attend a weekly service will come to church.  In spite of what some may say, seven out of ten people still claim to be Christian with 6 out of the ten saying that they are "deeply spiritual".  (www.barna.org) So, where were all these people during the other 50 Sundays?  (Christmas week being the other week most people attend a church service).

If we believe that Jesus lived, died, and rose again from the grave to forgive our sins then should we not want to shout it from the rooftops for all to hear? If there is not a greater event in history that has changed the course of humanity for the better why are we acting like it is the best kept secret of all history? If there is really a heaven to be gained and a hell to shun then why do we hide it under the bushel? 

The church that was founded on this belief was the most active social force that created societies greatest social movement in history as well.  It was a force created out of the love that was gleaned and shared when Jesus sacrificed His life on that old rugged cross. 

Most of the people I talk to want to change their lives but do not know how or even where to start.  If you really want change, the church is a great place to start.  There are many great churches in our community.  Ask a friend, family member or neighbor if they can recommend one.  If they don’t have any suggestions, call me.  I think I know of at least one. 

 If it is time for a change and you are tired of the same old same old, then start with your spiritual life.  The New Testament church is made for you and has the message that can help you become the real you!  7 out of 10 Americans cannot be all wrong.  After all we have the greatest message the world has ever known, even if most of us keep it to ourselves.  

Have a great week!  Invite your family and friends to come to church and worship together on Resurrection Sunday!  Hope to see you there!  Pastor Chuck